The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Matthew Adepoju, the country’s director general, has explained why Nigeria’s satellites are unable to provide real-time surveillance data to support its security operations.
Adepoju addressed questions on Friday’s Politics Today interview on Channels Television.
He questioned the legitimacy of Nigeria’s ability to track recent mass abductions in the North, citing a misunderstanding about the functions and limitations of Earth-observation satellites.
“Sometimes, there is misinformation about what the satellites should and can do.
The two that the military has and the agency’s new one are “imagers,” they say. He claimed that they don’t record videos.
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The current satellites in Nigeria are in orbit and only return after a few days, according to the NASRDA DG.
They “travel the globe,” they say. He said that for instance, it takes three days for NigeriaSat-1 and NigeriaSat-2 to return home.
We must launch numerous satellites into orbit if we want to get coverage everywhere. Another should be arriving as one is going, he continued.
However, Adepoju revealed Bola Tinubu’s approval of four additional satellites.
Depending on the orbital slot, this constellation will cut the time gap by four to six hours.
“But we intend to add more satellites to increase our ability to reach near-real-time.” The NASRDA DG stated that there isn’t yet real-time coverage.
Adepoju confirmed that Nigeria currently only has two active satellites when questioned how many.
One was designated for earth observation, according to the NASRDA DG, and the other for communication.
Accessing Advanced U.S. ‘S Systems ‘
Adepoju claimed the organization had partnered with a major US satellite operator when asked whether Nigeria had any alternative surveillance options.
We reached out to technical partners in America because of the issue we face. He claimed it took 18 months to obtain the necessary security clearance.
Nearly 300 satellites, according to the NASRDA DG, are in operation and could provide advanced intelligence to Nigeria.
The MoU and non-disclosure agreement have been signed by us. Only funding is still available.
It offers signal analytics a robust platform. Some of the actions terrorists are taking are so interesting that we can even hear them, he continued.
He also criticized state actions that make mobile networks unavailable as a security measure.
When mobile communication is interrupted by a state, it breaks my heart. The majority of these terrorists don’t use mobile devices.
The NASRDA DG explained that “they communicate through satellites, and I am aware of this fact.
Adepoju demanded a structural overhaul of security planning when asked what Nigeria must do urgently.
The national security architecture needs to be rejigged first and foremost. When national security issues are discussed, an organization like ours is required to be present.
The interpretation of the information you provide depends on who is present during crucial decisions, he continued.
Growing Uncertainty
In response to numerous abductions in northern states, the NASRDA DG’s remarks came as a result of renewed pressure on security forces.
On November 17, the government girls’ comprehensive senior secondary school, Maga, abducted 24 schoolgirls, who later were released.
However, on November 24, 11 residents of the Isapa community in Kwara were taken, including a pregnant woman.
As of November 28th, the situation in Niger State, where 12 teachers and more than 260 students were abducted by bandits, is still in imprisoned, is dire.
Source: Channels TV
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